First identify what happened at the gate
- You volunteered
- The benefit is whatever you and the airline agreed. The CAA says you should also be offered an alternative flight or a refund.
- You were bumped without agreeing
- If UK law covers the flight and you checked in on time, fixed compensation can apply alongside rerouting or a refund and care while you wait.
- The airline had reasonable grounds
- A refusal based on health, safety, security or inadequate travel documents is different from lack of space and may not attract denied-boarding compensation.
Current CAA compensation bands
For involuntary denied boarding, the amount depends on the great-circle distance and how late the alternative transport gets you to the final destination.
| Flight distance | Alternative arrival | Possible amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1,500 km or less | More than 2 hours late | £220 |
| 1,500 km or less | 2 hours late or less | £110–£220 |
| Over 1,500 km to 3,500 km | More than 3 hours late | £350 |
| Over 1,500 km to 3,500 km | 3 hours late or less | £175–£350 |
| Over 3,500 km | More than 4 hours late | £520 |
| Over 3,500 km | 4 hours late or less | £260–£520 |
The lower figure applies only if the carrier exercises the Article 7 power to reduce compensation by 50% after qualifying alternative transport. The statute says the carrier may reduce it, so the checker keeps a range rather than treating the lower figure as automatic. Route coverage, check-in and the reason for refusal still matter.
Rerouting or refund is a separate choice
Whether you volunteered or were forced to give up the seat, the airline should let you choose an alternative flight or a refund for the unused ticket. If you choose the earliest rerouting, the airline's care duty can include reasonable food and drink, communication, overnight accommodation and transport.
Collect evidence before leaving the gate
- Boarding pass, booking confirmation and proof that you checked in on time.
- A photo or copy of any written denied-boarding notice.
- The offer made to volunteers and whether you accepted anything.
- The airline's stated reason for refusing you and the names or roles of staff spoken to.
- Original and replacement itinerary, plus actual arrival time at the final destination.
- Itemised receipts for reasonable care the airline did not provide.
If the reason is disputed, ask the airline to confirm in writing that the problem was lack of capacity rather than conduct, documentation, health, safety or security.
Submit the claim
Use the operating airline's official form and state that the denied boarding was involuntary. Keep the fixed amount separate from any reimbursement of care expenses. The claim-letter guide gives a structure you can adapt.